They Called Me Beautiful Author:Marshall Saunders Read this contemporary version of a beloved classic to your children and grandchildren... Margaret Marshall Saunders wrote Beautiful Joe? in the late 1800s, basing the book on the trials of a real-life dog who was treated cruelly by his owner. More than 100,000 copies of the inspiring story have sold. Now, They Called Me Beautiful is availabl... more »e featuring the detailed illustrations of Claire Starr with text edited and abridged for contemporary children. Told from the perspective of a mutt named Joe, They Called Me Beautiful focuses on the love and acceptance provided to Joe by the Morris family and their conscientious care of the many pets in their home. Children will delight in hearing Joe describe Bella the African Parrot and the many canaries, goldfish, rabbits, and pigeons raised by the Morris children and their humane and compassionate approach to animals and humans alike.« less